SHA senior Sophie Ruggles averaged 16 points per game along with seven rebounds in 2016-17 for the Irish. (Sun Photo by SKIP TRAYNOR)

They’re in the midst of one of the best runs in program history.

Over the course of the last five seasons the Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart Academy girls basketball program has compiled a record of 107-22 and advanced to the quarterfinal round five times. The Irish have also won one Class D state title (2014) and have advanced to the Breslin Center in each of the last two years where they lost to eventual state champion Pittsford.

Heading into the 2017-18 season SHA is arguably one of the frontrunners to win the Class D state title as it returns everyone from a team that advanced to the semifinals last season and finished with a record of 25-2.

“I think we’re optimistic going in,” said Irish head coach Damon Brown, who has compiled a record of 178-42 in his first nine years at the helm. “But we know on any given day you can be beat and we know that every team we play is going to be giving us their best shot.” With first-team All-Staters Scout Nelson and Sophie Ruggles leading the way the Irish have a one-two punch that few teams, if any, in Class D can match. Nelson, a junior point guard, averaged 14.5 points, four rebounds, three assists and five steals per game last year while Ruggles, a senior center, averaged 16 points, seven rebounds and four steals.

When you add in returners like Grace Reetz, Hadyn Terwilliger, Megan Nowak and Sam McDonald you end up with a veteran team that has all the pieces to make a lengthy run.

For Brown it always begins on the defensive end and that will not change this season. In short good defense leads to offense and championships.

“We take pride in playing defense,” said Brown, whose team improved to 2-0 Monday via a 45-18 win at Morley-Stanwood. “Our team likes to get after it on defense which allows us to get out and run. For me, this is one of the most experienced and most athletic teams I have coached and I like where we’re at right now.”

This year’s team is also celebrating its 50th year on the hardwood and would like nothing more than to celebrate this fact by putting together yet another solid postseason run.

“The next step is bringing home the state championship,” said Brown in conclusion.

Will they?

Won’t they?

Stay tuned because the Irish will be a team worth watching this winter and next spring.

About the Author

Jim Lahde has been with The Morning Sun sports department since 1997 and has been its Sports Editor since 2006. The Wixom native has covered everything from Little League to the big leagues. Reach the author at jlahde@michigannewspapers.com
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